WASHINGTON—“Scrapping the Paris climate agreement is an abdication of American leadership in the fight against the biggest threat facing people and birds,” said David Yarnold (@david_yarnold), Audubon’s president and CEO, in response to the White House’s decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Accords, the world’s most ambitious greenhouse gas-reduction agreement to date.

“Our kids and grandkids are the losers in this misguided decision. So are 314 species of birds that Audubon already knows are at risk because of climate change. We don't believe that's what Americans voted for in November.”

In 2014, Audubon scientists published the Birds and Climate Change Report, which describes how climatic suitability for 314 species of North American birds is shifting and shrinking to the point where these species may disappear from their current ranges by 2080. Species include our national symbol, the Bald Eagle, and other birds like the Baltimore Oriole, Common Loon and Brown Pelican. Ignoring climate change will push many of the birds Americans know and love to extinction.

“The science is settled, the solutions are plentiful and birds tell us we need to act on climate right now to avoid catastrophe,” said Dr. Gary Langham, Audubon’s chief scientist and lead author of the Birds and Climate Change Report. “The sad alternative is a future with less birdsong and more regret.”

In response to the alarming findings of the Birds and Climate Change Report, Audubon has been engaging its one million members and supporters, including Republicans, Independents and Democrats, to urge their policymakers to implement science-based solutions to reduce carbon pollution at the speed and scale required to ensure a better future for birds and people.

The National Audubon Society protects birds and the places they need, today and tomorrow, throughout the Americas using science, advocacy, education and on-the-ground conservation. Audubon's state programs, nature centers, chapters and partners have an unparalleled wingspan that reaches millions of people each year to inform, inspire and unite diverse communities in conservation action. Since 1905, Audubon's vision has been a world in which people and wildlife thrive. Audubon is a nonprofit conservation organization. Learn more how to help at www.audubon.org and follow us on Twitter and Instagram at @audubonsociety.

The proposal, which was discussed at the White House last week, takes a conservative approach to climate action. But it runs into a problem central to all carbon taxes: deciding how to spend the raised funds.

Audubon is a nonprofit organization committed to protecting birds and the places they need. We rely on our members for support. You can help us by making a donation today.

We're in a race against time — to give birds a fighting chance in a rapidly changing world. Your support will hellp secure the future for birds at risk from climate change, habitat loss, and other threats.